Enhanced Road Assessment (ERA) Frequently Asked Questions

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1 Before Your ERA Q: Why was I referred to the ERA? A: Drivers of any age with a medical condition that may affect the motor, cognitive or sensory functions required for driving may be referred to the ERA by RoadSafetyBC. Referrals are made based on all of the relevant information on a driver s file, which may include information from medical professionals, police, other reliable third parties, and the individual s driving record. Q: What do I need to bring to my ERA appointment? A: Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before your appointment time and bring the following: Your current driver s licence One other piece of identification (e.g. credit card or bank card with your name and signature; visit icbc.com for information on acceptable ID) A vehicle in good working order Proof of valid vehicle registration A companion who holds a valid driver s licence (in the event you are issued a learner s driver s licence after the ERA) Your glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive or read Your referral letter Q: At what age does the ERA become mandatory? A: There is no age at which the ERA becomes a mandatory requirement. A driver of any age may be required to take an ERA when RoadSafetyBC receives information that the functions necessary for driving may be impaired by a medical condition. When a driver is referred to the ERA, it is a mandatory requirement. If a driver does not complete the ERA within the timeframe given in their referral letter, their driver s licence may be cancelled. Q: What if I do not want to take the ERA? A: If you have been referred to take the ERA, you must complete it in the timeframe provided in your referral letter, or your driver s licence may be cancelled. Any new information from your doctor or other medical professional indicating that your medical condition has improved will be reviewed and considered along with all other information in your file. Page 1

2 You may also choose to retire from driving instead of taking the ERA. You can exchange your driver s licence for a free British Columbia Identification Card (BCID). This can be done at an ICBC Driver Licensing Office. Q: Should I practice for the ERA? A: We encourage you to practice your driving skills before you take the ERA. Ask a family member or friend with a valid driver s licence to sit in the passenger seat to observe your driving, then provide feedback. Having another perspective can help identify areas for improvement that you can practice before your ERA. Remember to be open to receiving feedback and to consider it as constructive, rather than personal criticism. You may also wish to take a refresher course from a driving school. For a list of local driving schools, visit Q: How much does the ERA cost? A: There is no cost to the driver to take the ERA. If there are fines or fees owing to ICBC, these must be paid prior to completing the ERA. Q: Is there a computer component? A: No. There is no computer component to the ERA. Q: Does the ERA replace the age 80 Drivers Medical Examination Report (DMER)? A: No. There is no change to the age 80 DMER process. When a driver reaches age 80 and every 2 years thereafter, they will continue to be required to have a DMER completed by their physician and submitted to RoadSafetyBC. This does not mean the driver will be required to take an ERA, or other assessment. RoadSafetyBC will review the information provided in the DMER, along with all other relevant information on file, and determine whether further information or assessment is required. Referrals to the ERA will be made based on the entirety of the information on a driver s file, which may include information from medical professionals, police, other reliable third parties, and the individual s driving record. Q: Can I call someone to ask further ERA questions? A: For more information about the ERA and your requirements, you may call RoadSafetyBC at , weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Page 2

3 After Your ERA Q: What happens after I take the ERA? A: After you take the ERA, ICBC will send your results to RoadSafetyBC, where they will be reviewed along with all other relevant information in your file to make a licensing decision. RoadSafetyBC may decide to maintain, re-issue, restrict, or cancel your driver s licence. In some cases, an additional ERA or medical information may be required. If there were no traffic violations, Dangerous Actions, or other safety concerns during your ERA, you will hold a full-privilege driver s licence and may continue to drive while your file is reviewed by RoadSafetyBC. A traffic violation is a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act or its regulations. A Dangerous Action is an action, or lack of action, that results in, or could result in, a collision or loss of vehicle control. If there were any traffic violations, Dangerous Actions, or other safety concerns during your ERA, you will hold a learner s driver s licence (LDL) while your file is reviewed by RoadSafetyBC. If you hold an LDL, you will be required to have a licensed supervisor in the vehicle when you drive. Q: How will I be notified of my licensing decision? A: RoadSafetyBC will send you a letter in the mail with the licensing decision. Please be sure your mailing address is up to date on your driver s licence. Q: If I was given a learner s licence after the ERA, does this mean I failed? A: No. The ERA is not a test that can be passed or failed. After your ERA, RoadSafetyBC reviews the results along with all other relevant information on the driver s file to decide whether to maintain, re-issue, restrict, or cancel your driver s licence. Being issued a learner s licence does not automatically mean your licence will be cancelled. RoadSafetyBC makes the licensing decision based on all of the relevant information on your file. Q: If I wasn t successful, can I try the ERA again? A: Any additional ERAs are at the discretion of RoadSafetyBC. In some cases, an additional ERA or further medical information may be requested. Please wait to receive your letter in the mail which will advise you of your licensing decision and any next steps. Page 3

4 Q: How do you decide if I can continue to drive? Enhanced Road Assessment (ERA) A: RoadSafetyBC will consider all information related to your medical fitness to drive, not just the ERA results. The ERA has demerit scoring, which you will receive a copy of after your ERA. Your driver examiner may add notes to the demerit scoring sheet to provide context. Both the demerit scoring and driver examiner notes provide RoadSafetyBC with information on whether you were able to maintain basic functional driving skills during the ERA tasks. RoadSafetyBC will consider any driving errors, traffic violations, Dangerous Actions, or other safety concerns that may have occurred during your ERA, as well as your ability to respond to the feedback provided during your ERA. All other relevant information on your file, such as your driving record and any reports from medical professionals, police, or family members will also be considered when making the licensing decision. Q: Will my driver s licence be cancelled because I did not remember multiple step directions during my ERA? A: The focus of the ERA is on functional driving skills, rather than on the ability to complete tasks. Your ability to recall multiple-step directions is not given a score. However, if you make driving errors or there are safety concerns when you are trying to remember instructions, this will be noted in the ERA results and considered by RoadSafetyBC in the overall decision making process. Q: I only drive in my local area during the day. Can RoadSafetyBC restrict my driver s licence to allow me to drive under these conditions? A: No, RoadSafetyBC will not restrict your driver s licence to a specific location or time. A driver s licence may be restricted by RoadSafetyBC when a driver has a medical condition or functional difficulty, or uses a device or technology to drive. For example, a driver with limited vision may have a restriction which requires them to wear corrective lenses when they drive. Q: How long will it take for my licensing decision to be made? A: RoadSafetyBC will review your file within 14 days of the date of your ERA. You will then be sent a letter by regular mail notifying you of the licensing decision or any further medical information or assessments required to make the licensing decision. Page 4

5 Q: Can my review be expedited? A: No. Calling RoadSafetyBC or ICBC will not result in your file being expedited. Files are reviewed in order of the date the ERA results are received, with the exception of those identified by driver examiners for immediate review due to safety concerns. Q: What if I don t receive a letter in 14 days? A: Your letter may be in the mail. If RoadSafetyBC has previously requested medical information, this may be required before a licensing decision can be made. If you have not received a letter after 14 days and you are unsure if you need to provide medical information to RoadSafetyBC, please call Q: If I lose my licence after the ERA, can I appeal the decision? A: Yes, you may apply for a review of the decision to cancel your driver s licence following an ERA. Your decision letter will outline the review process, and specific information required from your doctor or other medical professional. Page 5